Category Archives: Jackson County

Women who enter a predominately male field should expect to put up with rough language, dirty jokes and hazing. The women are not being treated any differently than the men treat each other.

Fact

This is a myth because many times the new woman in a previously all-male environment is not just treated as “one of the boys.” It is not business as usual, but rather the men escalate the foul language or sexual conduct to test her or make it difficult for her to succeed. Intensified, ongoing, sexually directed conduct has therefore been held to be sexual harassment.

Myth

The victim must be of the opposite sex of the harasser in order for there to be sexual harassment.

Fact

The victim, as well as the harasser, may be a man or woman. The victim and the harasser do not have to be of the opposite sex.

During 2012, 99,412 charges were filed with the EEOC against private employers. These includes charges for discrimination, harassment and retaliation. Out of the 99,412 charges filed, the EEOC only filed 122 lawsuits.

While the EEOC is an important federal agency, in nearly every situation the employee benefits when the employee has his or her own attorney who represents the employee’s interests. For instance in Missouri, most employees have greater rights under Missouri state law than federal law, and the EEOC typically only prosecutes federal law.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements.﻿
This is provided as a guide only, and not legal advice. Please contact our firm at 1-800-578-4357 for a no-charge legal consultation for sex harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination.